Pearse Og and Ballymacnab will play in Division 1B next season, but that will be the least of their worries this weekend.
They face off in the first of Sunday’s double header in the Athletic Grounds, with a semi-final spot at stake.
The Nab will be without star forward Gavin McParland, who picked up an injury in their first round against Granemore.
Their Jekyll and Hyde performance that night will surely give the Ogs some confidence.
Ballymacnab were brilliant for long periods of the first half and carried a comfortable six-point lead into the half time break.
Rory Grugan looked unmarkable and his goal was one of the highlights of the opening half.
Failure to score in the third quarter set up a nervy final 15 minutes, however. Points from Kieran Hughes and Ryan Watters eventually sealed a one-point victory.
The Ogs have their own attacking threats, none more so than 2004 under 21 All-Ireland winner Paul Duffy.
The former county man is a dangerous full forward. The Ogs will need him to get the better of Ryan Kennedy if they are to make it through.
Duffy top scored in their round one victory over St Peter’s with 2-3. Like the Nab, they withheld a bit of a scare to book their slot in the last four.
Three goals in the final quarter brought St Peter’s right back into the game. But the city side had stretched their lead long enough to avoid getting caught.
The sides last clashed at the same stage in 2019, with the Round Towers coming out on top.
Conor Clarke was part of the action that day, but on Sunday will be patrolling the line as manager.
Ballymacnab should come through this one, but they would be foolish to underestimate the Ogs.
